Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience (FLLC): Having Allergies to Egos
History of FLLC
When asked to describe the essence of her group Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience (FLLC), Rev. Gen Heywood was quick to point out the willingness to risk failure and success, not as an organization, but as a collaboration.
Before FLLC formed in 2018, there were several groups in the Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho region coordinating solidarity and activist work. However, there was little collaboration between groups. To transform beyond this siloed culture, FLLC formed by gathering people of faith and non-faith backgrounds around overcoming racism, poverty, militarism, and ecological devastation. Their first collaboration was focused on supporting the Poor People's Campaign in Spokane, WA., which is organized by the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane.
Since 2018, FLLC has grown to continue supporting local efforts, as well as organize their own events, including Truthful Tuesdays and their bi-annual Vigil for the Healing of the Earth.
The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, the Sisters of the Holy Names, Unity Spiritual Center, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, and Sravasti Buddhist Abbey at the April 22, 2019 Vigil for the Healing of the Earth beside Spokane City Hall. Rev. Gen Heywood is pictured second from the right.
This video was done in collaboration with Just Know This to raise awareness about environmental devastation.
Risking Approval
In 2019, FLLC was invited to share an invocation that represented religious diversity at a GOP event. At the time, Matt Shea, elected official of the 4th legislative district of Washington House of Representatives, was promoting his “Biblical Basis for War” which promoted the killing of LGBTQ+ community members, feminists, and all allies. FLLC saw a need to present a unified voice against this ideology.
They were invited to share an invocation at a GOP event with local Republicans who shared their recognition of the dangers of Shea’s ideology. The following is an excerpt from the closing of their invocation:
As we breathe in this shared air, we remember our interconnectedness. As we breathe out, we let go of that which separates us... Let the knowledge of “The Threats We Face” move us from fear to power gained by exposing hatred, and learning the many ways to replace it with tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, and love. May the light of truth boldly move us. May we embrace our common humanity and help create a world where genuine peace may flourish. Let all the people say: “So may it be.”
Their invocation intentionally concluded with the phrase, “So may it be”-- a nod to inclusive language around religious diversity. This left an unwelcome taste in the audience's mouth because “Amen” was not used in the invocation. FLLC was not invited back to similar events. But looking back, it was a risk that FLLC was open to take on. “We don't have to yell to make a stand,” said Heywood. “We understand as a group that we have to let go of our egos in order to recognize the injustices around us.” This raises the question around the efficacy of success versus shortcoming. On paper, Heywood sees FLLC's singular sensation GOP invocation as a shortcoming in that a dialogue around religious diversity was not explored. On the other hand, making these risks is a part of FLLC's essence.
To learn more about FLLC, visit their Facebook page, or sign up for their emails by writing FLLConscience@gmail.com
Advertisement for the April 2022 Vigil for the Healing of the Earth. FLLC's April Vigils are always held on Earth Day.
October 2019 with Rev. Heather Tadlock. FLLC and other community members gathered at a Greyhound bus station in prayer for an end to ICE targeting people of color, particularly those riding Greyhound buses.
The Vigil for the Healing of the Earth, 2021.
Truthful Tuesday Vigil, focused on hope.
References:
About the Washington Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Poor People's Campaign. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2022, from https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/about/
Ahmed-Sherazi, N. (2019, May 16). Faith leaders speak out, pray for Spokane Valley's healing. Spokane Favs. Retrieved April 2022, from https://spokanefavs.com/faith-leaders-speak-out-pray-for-spokane-valleys-healing/
Heywood, G. (2019, August 30). FLLC Leader of Conscience. YouTube. Retrieved April 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/
Pastor gathers faith leaders to speak out. The Fig Tree. (2019). Retrieved 2022, from http://www.thefigtree.org/pncnews/fall19pnc/09012019faithleaders.html